Automatically disabling the on-screen keyboard of an electronic device in a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A keyboard deactivation module includes a processor configured to generate an on-screen keyboard control signal, a CAN bus interface configured to connect to a CAN bus of a vehicle, and obtain vehicle speed information indicating a current speed of the vehicle from the vehicle via the CAN bus, and a Bluetooth radio configured to transmit the on-screen keyboard control signal to a target electronic device. An on-screen keyboard of the target electronic device is enabled in response to receiving the on-screen keyboard control signal while the vehicle speed information indicates that the current speed of the vehicle is below a specified threshold, and the on-screen keyboard of the target electronic device is disabled in response to receiving the on-screen keyboard control signal while the vehicle speed information indicates that the current speed of the vehicle is above a specified threshold. The keyboard deactivation module is mounted in the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser.No. 14/143,869, filed on Dec. 30, 2013, which claims priority to and thebenefit of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/872,018, filed on Aug.30, 2013, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by referencein their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a keyboarddeactivation module permitting automatic disabling of the on-screenkeyboard of an electronic device in a vehicle.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Distracted driving due to the use of electronic devices such as cellphones is a common problem, and although some late model cars offerBluetooth integration kits to support hands-free calling, manyautomakers do not offer a viable solution to prohibit text input on acell phone and other electronic devices while a vehicle is being driven.Although some third party applications exist for select cell phones andelectronic devices running certain operating systems to restrict certainuses such as texting while driving, such applications are not availablefor all cell phones and electronic devices, and may be applicationspecific, only prohibiting text input in certain applications installedon the device.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, akeyboard deactivation module includes a processor configured to generatean on-screen keyboard control signal, a CAN (controller area network)bus interface configured to connect to a CAN bus of a vehicle, andobtain vehicle speed information indicating a current speed of thevehicle from the vehicle via the CAN bus, and a Bluetooth radioconfigured to transmit the on-screen keyboard control signal to a targetelectronic device. An on-screen keyboard of the target electronic deviceis enabled in response to the target electronic device receiving theon-screen keyboard control signal while the vehicle speed informationindicates that the current speed of the vehicle is below a specifiedthreshold, and the on-screen keyboard of the target electronic device isdisabled in response to the target electronic device receiving theon-screen keyboard control signal while the vehicle speed informationindicates that the current speed of the vehicle is above a specifiedthreshold. The keyboard deactivation module is mounted in the vehicle.

In an exemplary embodiment, the on-screen keyboard control signalcorresponds to a standard human interface device (HID) commandindicating to the target electronic device whether an external keyboardis connected to the target electronic device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the on-screen keyboard control signalcorresponds to a standard human interface device (HID) commandindicating to the target electronic device whether a keystroke from anexternal keyboard has been detected.

In an exemplary embodiment, the on-screen keyboard control signalincludes an enable on-screen keyboard signal and a disable on-screenkeyboard signal. The Bluetooth radio is configured to transmit theenable on-screen keyboard signal to the target electronic device whilethe vehicle speed information indicates that the current speed of thevehicle is below the specified threshold, and transmit the disableon-screen keyboard signal to the target electronic device while thevehicle speed information indicates that the current speed of thevehicle is above the specified threshold. The on-screen keyboard of thetarget electronic device is enabled upon the target electronic devicereceiving the enable on-screen keyboard signal, and the on-screenkeyboard of the target electronic device is disabled upon the targetelectronic device receiving the disable on-screen keyboard signal.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enable on-screen keyboard signalcorresponds to a first standard human interface device (HID) commandindicating to the target electronic device that an external keyboard iscurrently connected to the target electronic device, and the disableon-screen keyboard signal corresponds to a second standard HID commandindicating to the target electronic device that the external keyboard isnot currently connected to the target electronic device.

In an exemplary embodiment, the enable on-screen keyboard signalcorresponds to a first standard human interface device (HID) commandindicating to the target electronic device that a keystroke from anexternal keyboard has been detected, and the disable on-screen keyboardsignal corresponds to a second standard HID command indicating to thetarget electronic device that the keystroke from the external keyboardhas not been detected.

In an exemplary embodiment, the keyboard deactivation module does notinclude a keyboard.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, akeyboard deactivation module includes a global positioning system (GPS)radio configured to determine a location of a vehicle, a processorconfigured to generate an on-screen keyboard control signal, anddetermine a current speed of the vehicle using the GPS radio, and aBluetooth radio configured to transmit the on-screen keyboard controlsignal to a target electronic device. An on-screen keyboard of thetarget electronic device is enabled in response to the target electronicdevice receiving the on-screen keyboard control signal while the currentspeed of the vehicle is determined to be below a specified threshold,and the on-screen keyboard of the target electronic device is disabledin response to the target electronic device receiving the on-screenkeyboard control signal while the current speed of the vehicle isdetermined to be above the specified threshold. The keyboarddeactivation module is mounted in the vehicle.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, akeyboard deactivation module includes a processor configured to generatean on-screen keyboard control signal, and a Bluetooth radio configuredto transmit the on-screen keyboard control signal to a target electronicdevice. An on-screen keyboard of the target electronic device is enabledin response to the target electronic device receiving the on-screenkeyboard control signal while a current speed of a vehicle is determinedto be below a specified threshold, and the on-screen keyboard of thetarget electronic device is disabled in response to the targetelectronic device receiving the on-screen keyboard control signal whilethe current speed of the vehicle is determined to be above the specifiedthreshold. The current speed of the vehicle is determined by queryingthe target electronic device. The keyboard deactivation module ismounted in the vehicle.

In an exemplary embodiment, the current speed of the vehicle isdetermined using at least one of a GPS radio of the target electronicdevice, a cellular radio of the target electronic device, and a WiFiradio of the target electronic device.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, acomputer readable storage medium embodying instructions executed by aprocessor to perform a method of enabling and disabling an on-screenkeyboard of a target electronic device includes obtaining vehicle speedinformation indicating a current speed of a vehicle, generating anon-screen keyboard control signal, and transmitting the on-screenkeyboard control signal to the target electronic device via a Bluetoothconnection. The on-screen keyboard of the target electronic device isenabled in response to the target electronic device receiving theon-screen keyboard control signal while the vehicle speed informationindicates that the current speed of the vehicle is below a specifiedthreshold, and the on-screen keyboard of the target electronic device isdisabled in response to the target electronic device receiving theon-screen keyboard control signal while the vehicle speed informationindicates that the current speed of the vehicle is above a specifiedthreshold. The computer readable storage medium is embedded within anelectronic system mounted within the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will become moreapparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an overview of a system for disabling an on-screen keyboardof an electronic device, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a keyboard deactivation module, accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method of enabling/disabling anon-screen keyboard of an electronic device, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Likereference numerals may refer to like elements throughout theaccompanying drawings.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a new use ofleveraging existing functionality within an operating system (e.g., amobile operating system of a mobile electronic device) that supports theuse of an external keyboard in order to automatically disable theoperating system's on-screen keyboard (e.g., the software keyboard shownon the display of a mobile electronic device) while a vehicle is inmotion. For example, referring to electronic devices that run the Apple®iOS operating system (e.g., the Apple® iPhone® and Apple® iPad®),exemplary embodiments leverage iOS support of an external keyboard inorder to disable the on-screen keyboard of the iOS device while avehicle is determined to be in motion. Although exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein may refer specifically to electronic devices runningthe iOS operating system, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.For example, exemplary embodiments may be implemented for any electronicdevice running an operating system that disables the on-screen keyboardof the device upon detection of a connection to an external keyboard.

Some mobile operating systems including, for example, the Apple® iOSoperating system, are designed to disable the on-screen keyboard on anelectronic device when a connection to an external keyboard (e.g., aphysical keyboard separate from the electronic device) is detected. Forexample, when an external keyboard is connected to an electronic devicevia a wireless connection or a physical connection (e.g., via a wire,connection port, etc.), the operating system of the electronic devicemay automatically disable and hide the on-screen keyboard, and prohibitthe user from using the on-screen keyboard. That is, in mobile operatingsystems that support external keyboards, when an external keyboard isconnected to the electronic device, the on-screen keyboard of the devicemay be disabled and hidden, and when the external keyboard is notconnected to the electronic device, the on-screen keyboard may beenabled and accessible on the electronic device. Based on thisprinciple, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention,a keyboard deactivation module in communication with an electronicdevice may mimic the presence of an external keyboard to disable theon-screen keyboard of the electronic device when a vehicle is in motion.The keyboard deactivation module is described in further detail below.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of a system for disabling an on-screen keyboardof an electronic device, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment, a system fordisabling an on-screen keyboard of an electronic device includes akeyboard deactivation module 101 connected to an electronic device 102and a vehicle 103. The keyboard deactivation module 101 may be disposedwithin the vehicle 103. The electronic device may be any type of devicethat includes an on-screen keyboard and runs an operating systemconfigured to disable the on-screen keyboard upon detecting a connectionto an external keyboard. For example, the electronic device may be acell phone, a tablet computer, etc. Hereinafter, an electronic devicefor which it is desired to disable its on-screen keyboard may bereferred to as a target device 102.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, aconnection (e.g., a wired or wireless connection such as, for example, aBluetooth connection) is established between the keyboard deactivationmodule 101 and the target device 102, and a connection may also beestablished between the keyboard deactivation module 101 and thevehicle.

A block diagram of the keyboard deactivation module 101 according to anexemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 2. The keyboard deactivationmodule 101 may include, for example, a processor 201, a memory 202, aBluetooth radio 203, a CAN (controller area network) bus interface 204,a global positioning system (GPS) radio 205, a battery 206, a microphone207, and/or a display 208 connected via a bus 209. The keyboarddeactivation module 101 may include some or all of these components. Theprocessor 201 may generate an on-screen keyboard control signal toenable/disable the on-screen keyboard of the target device 102. Thememory 202 may store instructions executable by the processor 201 togenerate the on-screen keyboard control signal, and determine whetherthe on-screen keyboard of the target device 102 is to be enabled ordisabled, as described in further detail below. The Bluetooth radio 202may establish a wireless connection with the target device 102 and/orthe vehicle. The CAN bus interface 204 may connect to the CAN bus of thevehicle to communicate with a subsystem(s) of the vehicle to, forexample, obtain vehicle speed information from the vehicle, orcommunicate with the audio/video system of the vehicle. The GPS radio205 may be used to obtain vehicle speed information.

In an exemplary embodiment, although the keyboard deactivation module101 does not include a keyboard, the keyboard deactivation module 101identifies itself to the target device 102 as an external keyboard,causing the target device 102 to automatically disable its on-screenkeyboard. The keyboard deactivation module 101 may be, for example, astand-alone unit or a system block that is embedded (e.g., via software)within an existing electronic system present in the vehicle such as, forexample, a radio, audio system, infotainment system, or other electronicsystem in the vehicle. The keyboard deactivation module 101 may beconnected to the target device 102 via a wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) or awired connection.

In an exemplary embodiment in which the keyboard deactivation module 101is a stand-alone unit that is not embedded within an existing system ofthe vehicle, the keyboard deactivation module 101 may be mounted withinthe vehicle. For example, the keyboard deactivation module 101 may bemounted to a variety of surfaces within the vehicle including, forexample, within the vehicle's console or dashboard, within a seat orheadrest of the vehicle, within the overhead of the vehicle, etc. Thekeyboard deactivation module 101 may be mounted such that it is notvisible to people in the vehicle. The keyboard deactivation module 101may also be a removable unit capable of being removed from the vehicle,allowing the module 101 to be used in another vehicle, or in anotherenvironment. The removable keyboard deactivation module 101 may bedocked in a docking station within the vehicle configured to receive thekeyboard deactivation module 101, or the module 101 may be used in thevehicle without a corresponding docking station.

The keyboard deactivation module 101 may receive power from the vehicle(e.g., via a connection to the vehicle's battery), and/or may includeits own battery 206, allowing the module 101 to be used in locations inwhich the module 101 is not connected to a power source. The keyboarddeactivation module 101 may receive power via the cigarette lighterreceptacle in the vehicle, or via another connection to the vehicle'sbattery.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention,enabling/disabling the on-screen keyboard of the target device 102 isbased on a determination of whether the vehicle is in motion. Thekeyboard deactivation module 101 may determine whether the vehicle is inmotion using a variety of methods. For example, the keyboarddeactivation module 101 may be connected to the CAN bus of a vehicleusing the CAN bus interface 204. Connection to the CAN bus of thevehicle allows the keyboard deactivation module 101 to communicate withvarious subsystems of the vehicle, and allows the keyboard deactivationmodule 101 to receive vehicle speed information directly from thevehicle. Further, the keyboard deactivation module 101 may include a GPSradio 205 allowing the module 101 to determine vehicle speedinformation. In addition, the keyboard deactivation module 101 mayutilize components of the target device 102 to determine vehicle speedinformation. For example, the keyboard deactivation module 101 maydetermine vehicle speed information by querying components of the targetdevice 102 that provide information that may be used to determinevehicle speed including, for example, the GPS radio, WiFi radio, and/orcellular radio of the target device 102. In exemplary embodiments thatutilize the target device 102 to determine vehicle speed information,software may be installed on the target device to transmit data to thekeyboard deactivation module 101 that allows for the determination ofvehicle speed information. According to exemplary embodiments, thekeyboard deactivation module 101 may utilize some or all of thesemethods to determine vehicle speed information.

The keyboard deactivation module 101 transmits an on-screen keyboardcontrol signal to the target device 102. The vehicle speed information,along with a specified threshold, which may be pre-set for the keyboarddeactivation module 101 or set by a user, are utilized to determine theaction to be performed on the target device 102 in response to receivingthe on-screen keyboard control signal.

For example, when the vehicle speed information indicates that thecurrent speed of the vehicle is below (or about equal to) the specifiedthreshold, the on-screen keyboard of the target device 102 is enabled inresponse to the target device 102 receiving the on-screen keyboardcontrol signal (e.g., the on-screen keyboard control signal acts as anenable on-screen keyboard signal). When enabled, the user is permittedto interact with the target device 102 via the on-screen keyboard.

When the vehicle speed information indicates that the current speed ofthe vehicle is above the specified threshold, the on-screen keyboard ofthe target device 102 is disabled in response to the target device 102receiving the on-screen keyboard control signal (e.g., the on-screenkeyboard control signal acts as a disable on-screen keyboard signal).When disabled, the user is prohibited from interacting with the targetdevice 102 via the on-screen keyboard.

The on-screen keyboard control signal may be a single signal thattoggles the current state of the on-screen keyboard, or may include twodifferent signals (e.g., an enable on-screen keyboard signal and adisable on-screen keyboard signal) that respectively force the state ofthe on-screen keyboard into either an enabled state or a disabled state.

The specified threshold may be set to about 0 mph, resulting in aconfiguration in which the keyboard deactivation module 101 enables theon-screen keyboard of the target device 102 while the vehicle isstationary, and disables the on-screen keyboard of the target device 102while the vehicle is in motion.

In an exemplary embodiment, reception of the on-screen keyboard controlsignal while the vehicle is above the specified threshold (e.g.,reception of the on-screen keyboard control signal acting as a disableon-screen keyboard signal) indicates to the target device 102 that anexternal keyboard is connected to the target device 102—even though noexternal keyboard is present—thereby disabling the on-screen keyboard ofthe target device 102.

In an exemplary embodiment, reception of the on-screen keyboard controlsignal while the vehicle is above the specified threshold (e.g.,reception of the on-screen keyboard control signal acting as a disableon-screen keyboard signal) indicates to the target device 102 that akeystroke from an external keyboard has been detected—even though nokeystroke has actually been detected—thereby disabling the on-screenkeyboard of the target device 102.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a method of enabling/disabling anon-screen keyboard of the target device 102, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, vehicle speed information is obtained at block 301.At block 302, it is determined whether the vehicle speed informationindicates that the current vehicle speed is above or below (or aboutequal to) the specified threshold. When the current vehicle speed isdetermined to be above the specified threshold, the on-screen keyboardof the target device 102 is disabled in response to the target device102 receiving the on-screen keyboard control signal from the keyboarddeactivation module 101 at block 303. When the current vehicle speed isdetermined to be below (or about equal to) the specified threshold, theon-screen keyboard of the target device 102 is enabled in response tothe target device 102 receiving the on-screen keyboard control signalfrom the keyboard deactivation module 101 at block 304.

In an exemplary embodiment, the keyboard deactivation module 101 maydisable the on-screen keyboard of the target device 102 at all timeswhile the target device 102 is located in the vehicle. For example, thekeyboard deactivation module 101 may disable the on-screen keyboard atall times while the module 101 is connected to the target device 102, orat all times while the module 101 is connected to the vehicle.

The keyboard deactivation module 101 is not limited to connecting to anddisabling the on-screen keyboard of only a single target device. Forexample, in exemplary embodiments, the keyboard deactivation module 101may disable the on-screen keyboard of a plurality of electronic devices.The keyboard deactivation module 101 may distinguish between differentconnected devices, and only disable on-screen keyboard functionality forcertain devices. This may be accomplished using a variety of methodssuch as, for example, maintaining a blacklist/whitelist of devices, orusing beacon(s) disposed within the vehicle.

In addition to enabling/disabling the on-screen keyboard of the targetdevice 102 based on the current speed of the vehicle, additionalconditions may be utilized by the keyboard deactivation module 101 tofurther specify when the on-screen keyboard is to be disabled. Forexample, time-of-day constraints may be utilized to disable theon-screen keyboard only at certain times. When multiple target devicesare connected to the keyboard deactivation module 101, the respectiveon-screen keyboards of the different target devices may beenabled/disabled based on different conditions (e.g., a combination of aspeed threshold and time-of-day constraints).

As described above, the connection between the keyboard deactivationmodule 101 and the target device 102 may be a wired connection or awireless connection such as, for example a Bluetooth connection.Standard human interface device (HID) profiles and commands may beutilized to enable and disable the on-screen keyboard of the targetdevice 101. Since most electronic devices recognize and interact withstandard HID profiles and commands, utilization of standard HID profilesand commands allows the keyboard deactivation module 101 to be utilizedwith a variety of different electronic devices. The HID profile may beimplemented over a wireless link such as, for example, Bluetooth, asdescribed herein, other types of wireless connections, or using wiredconnections (e.g., a USB connection, Lightning® connection, 30-pinconnection, or serial port connection).

Bluetooth profiles are specifications regarding aspects ofBluetooth-based wireless communication between devices. Bluetoothprofiles allow for different functionality to be implemented via aBluetooth connection between devices. The Service Discovery ApplicationProtocol (SDAP) may be implemented by the keyboard deactivation module101 to discover the available services supported by the target device102. For example, when the keyboard deactivation module 101 is pairedwith the target device 102, specific functions and features are enabledbased on the implemented Bluetooth profiles. Supported Bluetoothprofiles may include, for example, the Hands-Free Profile (HFP) forhandling phone calls, the Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) for accessingcontact information on the target device, the SIM Access Profile (SAP)for accessing information stored on the SIM card of the target device,the Serial Port Profile (SPP) for data communication, the Object PushProfile (OPP) and Object Exchange Profile (OBEX) for supporting thehandling of virtual business cards, the Message Access Profile (MAP),and the Human Interface Device Profile (HID).

In an exemplary embodiment, the MAP profile may be implemented toprovide the keyboard deactivation module 101 with access to messages onthe target device 102. The keyboard deactivation module 101 may includea microphone, and text-to-speech (TTS) may be used to provide input tothe target device 102 using voice without the user having to physicallyinteract with the target device 102. The keyboard deactivation module101 may also utilize a microphone of the vehicle for TTS via connectionto the vehicle's CAN bus. The keyboard deactivation module 101 mayinclude a display, or may be connected to a display of the vehicle viaconnection to the vehicle's CAN bus. When a display is utilized by thekeyboard deactivation module 101, the MAP profile may be used to displaymessages to the user. Messages may also be displayed to the user onanother screen in the vehicle that is connected to the keyboarddeactivation module 101 (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection).

Since standard HID profiles and commands are utilized, the keyboarddeactivation module 101 may be used with operating systems that utilizestandard HID profiles and commands (e.g., Apple®'s iOS, Android®,Windows®, etc.). For these operating systems, an HID command may bemapped to a function of the operating system. For example, a standardHID command may be mapped to an operating system function thatenables/disables the on-screen keyboard (e.g., a standard HID Usage IDmay be remapped to the standard AL Keyboard Layout HID Usage Name totoggle the on-screen keyboard of the target device 102). Thus, inexemplary embodiments, the on-screen keyboard control signal transmittedby the keyboard deactivation module 101 may correspond to a standard HIDcommand indicating to the target electronic device 102 whether anexternal keyboard is connected to the target electronic device 102, or astandard HID command indicating to the target electronic device 102whether a keystroke from an external keyboard has been detected.

The keyboard deactivation module 101 may be controlled by the user(e.g., to view and access settings of the module 101) via a variety ofmeans including, for example, software installed on a connectedelectronic device (e.g., the target device 102), a display and inputmeans (e.g., a touchscreen interface, buttons, etc.) disposed on themodule 101, or another display connected to the module 101 (e.g., adisplay in the vehicle connected to the module 101 wirelessly, via awired connection, or via the vehicle's CAN bus).

In an exemplary embodiment, the keyboard deactivation module 101 may beembodied as a software module that is embedded within an existing systemof the vehicle (e.g., a built-in infotainment system, built-in vehicleradio, built-in vehicle navigation system, etc.). The keyboarddeactivation module 101 may also function as a Bluetooth hands-free kitthat implements Bluetooth hands-free kit functionality, as well as otherfunctionality including, for example, utilization of a Bluetooth audiostreaming profile. The keyboard deactivation module 101 may add an HIDprofile to the list of Bluetooth profiles binded by the existing systemupon the pairing process, thereby enabling seamless state control overthe on-screen keyboard of the target device 102 via the existing system.

In an exemplary embodiment, the keyboard deactivation module 101 mayinclude remote keyless entry (RKE) functionality. In this embodiment,when a wireless connection is detected between the module 101 and thetarget device 102, the vehicle may be unlocked, and when a wirelessconnection between the module 101 and the target device 102 isdisconnected, the vehicle may be locked. The battery 206 of the keyboarddeactivation module 101 may permit communication between the module 101and the target device 102 while the vehicle is off.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, theon-screen keyboard of the target device 102 may be disabled at any timewhen a text input field is present. As a result, exemplary embodimentsmay improve safety by prohibiting a driver from being distracted whiledriving as a result of physically providing input to the target device102 via the on-screen keyboard. For example, exemplary embodiments mayprevent a driver from typing an email, sending a text message, etc.while driving. That is, according to exemplary embodiments, anyapplication on the target device that normally allows for input to beentered via a keyboard may be prevented from receiving input from theuser via the on-screen keyboard.

Exemplary embodiments may be implemented in various forms of hardware,software, firmware, special purpose processors, or a combinationthereof. In one embodiment, the present invention may be implemented insoftware as an application program tangibly embodied on a computerreadable storage medium embedded within an electronic system mountedwithin a vehicle.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes inform and detail may be made therein without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An on-screen keyboard deactivation module for avehicle, comprising: a processor configured to generate an on-screenkeyboard control signal indicating to a target electronic device whethera mimicked external keyboard is connected to the target electronicdevice; and an interface configured to transmit the on-screen keyboardcontrol signal to the target electronic device, wherein an on-screenkeyboard of the target electronic device located in the vehicle isenabled in response to the on-screen keyboard control signal indicatingto the target electronic device that the mimicked external keyboard isnot connected to the target electronic device while a current speed ofthe vehicle is determined to be below a specified threshold, and theon-screen keyboard of the target electronic device is disabled inresponse to the on-screen keyboard control signal indicating to thetarget electronic device that the mimicked external keyboard isconnected to the target electronic device while the current speed of thevehicle is determined to be above a specified threshold.
 2. The keyboarddeactivation module of claim 1, wherein the keyboard deactivation moduleis connected to the target electronic device via a wireless connectionthrough the interface.
 3. The keyboard deactivation module of claim 1,wherein the keyboard deactivation module is connected to the targetelectronic device via a wired connection through the interface.
 4. Thekeyboard deactivation module of claim 1, wherein the on-screen keyboardcontrol signal is a standard human interface device (HID) command. 5.The keyboard deactivation module of claim 1, wherein the on-screenkeyboard control signal is a standard human interface device (HID)command further indicating to the target electronic device whether akeystroke from the mimicked external keyboard has been detected.
 6. Thekeyboard deactivation module of claim 1, wherein the current speed ofthe vehicle is determined by querying the target electronic device. 7.The keyboard deactivation module of claim 1, further comprising: aglobal positioning system (GPS) radio, wherein the processor isconfigured to determine the current speed of the vehicle using the GPSradio.
 8. The keyboard deactivation module of claim 1, furthercomprising: a CAN (controller area network) bus interface configured toconnect to a CAN bus of the vehicle, and obtain vehicle speedinformation indicating the current speed of the vehicle from the vehiclevia the CAN bus.
 9. The keyboard deactivation module of claim 8, whereinthe on-screen keyboard control signal comprises an enable on-screenkeyboard signal and a disable on-screen keyboard signal, wherein theinterface is configured to transmit the enable on-screen keyboard signalto the target electronic device while the vehicle speed informationindicates that the current speed of the vehicle is below the specifiedthreshold, and transmit the disable on-screen keyboard signal to thetarget electronic device while the vehicle speed information indicatesthat the current speed of the vehicle is above the specified threshold,wherein the on-screen keyboard of the target electronic device isenabled upon the target electronic device receiving the enable on-screenkeyboard signal, and the on-screen keyboard of the target electronicdevice is disabled upon the target electronic device receiving thedisable on-screen keyboard signal.
 10. The keyboard deactivation moduleof claim 9, wherein the enable on-screen keyboard signal is a firststandard human interface device (HID) command indicating to the targetelectronic device that the mimicked external keyboard is not currentlyconnected to the target electronic device, and the disable on-screenkeyboard signal is a second standard HID command indicating to thetarget electronic device that the mimicked external keyboard iscurrently connected to the target electronic device.
 11. The keyboarddeactivation module of claim 9, wherein the enable on-screen keyboardsignal is a first standard human interface device (HID) commandindicating to the target electronic device that a keystroke from themimicked external keyboard has not been detected, and the disableon-screen keyboard signal is a second standard HID command indicating tothe target electronic device that the keystroke from the mimickedexternal keyboard has been detected.
 12. The keyboard deactivationmodule of claim 1, wherein the keyboard deactivation module does notcomprise a keyboard.
 13. A non-transitory computer readable storagemedium embodying instructions executed by a processor to perform amethod of enabling and disabling an on-screen keyboard of a targetelectronic device located in a vehicle, comprising: obtaining vehiclespeed information indicating a current speed of the vehicle; generatingan on-screen keyboard control signal indicating to the target electronicdevice whether a mimicked external keyboard is connected to the targetelectronic device; and transmitting the on-screen keyboard controlsignal to the target electronic device, wherein the on-screen keyboardof the target electronic device located in the vehicle is enabled inresponse to the on-screen keyboard control signal indicating to thetarget electronic device that the mimicked external keyboard is notconnected to the target electronic device while the vehicle speedinformation indicates that the current speed of the vehicle is below aspecified threshold, and the on-screen keyboard of the target electronicdevice is disabled in response to the on-screen keyboard control signalindicating to the target electronic device that the mimicked externalkeyboard is connected to the target electronic device while the vehiclespeed information indicates that the current speed of the vehicle isabove a specified threshold.
 14. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium of claim 13, wherein the vehicle speed information isobtained via a connection to a CAN (controller area network) bus of thevehicle.
 15. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium ofclaim 13, further comprising: determining the vehicle speed informationusing a global positioning system (GPS) radio.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein the current speedof the vehicle is obtained from the target electronic device.
 17. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein theon-screen keyboard control signal is a standard human interface device(HID) command.